 | Tennis superstar Venus Williams, shown here after her victory at last year's tournament, is hoping for her fourth win at the Pilot Pen tournament. |
Fifteen of the world's top 20 women's tennis players -- including three-time returning champion Venus Williams -- will compete in this year's Pilot Pen Tennis tournament, which will take place Aug. 16-24 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale.
Among the other contenders in the Pilot Pen competition, a United States Tennis Association (USTA) event presented by Michelob Light, are Lindsay Davenport, formerly the world's number-one player, who is now ranked ninth; teen stars Jelena Dokic of Yugoslavia and Justine Henin of Beligum, ranked sixth and seventh, respectively; and Amelie Mauresmo (No. 10), Sandrine Testud (No. 11), Daniela Hantuchova (No. 12), Elena Dementieva (No. 13), Anastasia Myskina (No. 15) and Daja Bedanova (No. 18).
This year's field of contenders has "star power," notes tournament director Anne Worcester. "The fact that 15 of the top 20 players in the world have entered the Pilot Pen shows that New Haven has become a 'can't miss' stop on the [USTA] tour," she says, noting that the international roster of players also includes Silvia Farina Elia of Italy, Anna Smashnova of Israel, Magdalena Maleeva of Bulgaria, Patty Schnyder of Switzerland and Ironda Tulyaganova of Uzbekistan.
The tournament features a main draw of 28 singles
Last year, the 22-year-old Williams won her third consecutive Pilot Pen crown by beating Davenport in the final round. Williams has a perfect 12-0 record at the Connecticut Tennis Center. She has won two Wimbledon and U.S. Open titles and has collected 25 singles championships in all, including four so far this year. She also won an Olympic Gold Medal in Sydney, Australia, in 2000.
A total of 12.5 hours of Pilot Pen Tennis action will be televised nationally on ESPN 2 and CBS Sports.
For the second year in a row, tennis fans at the Pilot Pen tournament will be treated to live jazz by some of New Haven's best-known jazz musicians. The concerts will take place 5:30-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Aug. 19-22, and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24.
On Wednesday, Aug. 21, which has been designated "Schick® College Night," employees and students from Yale and other area colleges or universities can receive a special 33% savings on up to four middle-tier tickets by showing a valid I.D. at the gate. The first 7,000 spectators will receive a free Schick® razor.
Throughout the tournament, a "Bulldog Club" tent will be open to Yale alumni and staff members who have purchased box seats. Alumni and staff can purchase these tickets by calling (203) 776-7331 and mentioning their Yale affiliation. Visitors can bring in food from the food court and purchase beer and wine in the air-conditioned tent, which will be open daily throughout the tournament 11 a.m.-9 p.m. except on Aug. 24, when the tent will be open from 11 a.m. until match play ends.
Several other special events will take place during the tournament. On "Kids Day," Sunday, Aug. 18, children will be treated to music, court games and giveaways, and can meet with some of the players during autograph sessions. Ticket prices start at $6 and include admission to the day's matches. The first 1,000 children to arrive at the tournament will receive a special goody bag.
This will be followed by "Girl Scout Night" on Tuesday, Aug. 20, when all Girl Scouts are invited to a private question-and-answer session with a World Tennis Association professional player. A "Ladies' Day Luncheon and Fashion Show" will be offered on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., featuring lunch in a private hospitality area and a fashion show presented by Brooks Brothers and Fila. Tickets, which begin at $75, include lunch, box seats in the stadium, a Calvin Klein cosmetic bag and more. The final special offering is "Michelob Light Night" on Friday, Aug. 23, which will feature a live concert with Darik and the Funbags prior to the semifinal matches.
Weeklong activities include a SportZone, an interactive area with games, contests and prizes for children and adults; a food court and pub; and daily giveaways at a variety of display booths.
The Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale is located at 45 Yale Ave. Individual box seats range from $50 to $70. Middle-tier seats range from $12 to $40 for adults and $6 to $15 for children. Box seat and middle-tier packages, as well as well as group session tickets, are available. For tickets or more information, call 1-888-99-PILOT or (203) 776-7331.
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players and 16 doubles teams. Qualifying rounds for players whose rankings are below 23rd take place Friday and Saturday, Aug. 16 and 17; main draw contests are Aug. 18-24.
Jazz at Pilot Pen
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